(Closed) Entering the big girl world for the first time….

I have lived on my own besides at college and studying abroad. I do know how to cook and clean and do most domestic tasks, but my first time living out as an adult will be when I get married. My parents paid my bills and rent while I was in college so I moved home during our engagement to save money to buy a house.

I’ve never had to pay a mortgage, gas bills, water etc. Now I’ll be in charge of a household. Everything will fall on my shoulders and as excited as I am, I am starting to get a little worried.

I know I seem really naive writting this, but I guess I am. I have worked since I was 14 and paid for my own car, cell phone, etc. but never really lived in the big girl world.

Can you ask your parents if they can show you their system? Maybe they can give you some pointers. One of my tricks is that I use web bill pay for all of my bills. It is attached to my checking account. So I can see my balance, and how much I will owe, then I can pay the bills. It also helps so that I don’t forget to pay any of them.

I felt the same way when I moved out, but I’ve been able to keep track of everything online. Mint.com is great once you get it all set up so you can track your spending and know what bills have been paid for the month and what bills are coming. Also a good way to see where all your money goes and see where you can cut back, etc.

Been there! Definitely sit down with the parent who handles finances (or both if they both do) and get a little crash course. You’ll be much better off going into it knowing what to expect and having some sort of system. Don’t wait until you’re actually responsible for everything to figure it all out.

Also realize you are not alone! First and foremost, you and your Fiance are in it together! Second… it sounds like your family is super supportive and would totally help you out with organization etc if you needed it.

I handle all of the bills for my FI’s business. I just think the fact that it is now my financials that is scary. But I will sit down with my parents and ask them to go over everything with me, my dad gave us a budget of every possible household expense so we could gage the amount of a mortgage we would feel comfortable with.

@amariem25- I just think I worry alot more than him LOL. I guess it does fall on his shoulders too but he is very optomistic. He works a lot so I know the cooking, cleaning, bills, dog, etc. will all fall on me, but if he’s making the money to pay the bills I guess can’t complain =)

I was actually really calm and then my Future Father-In-Law started talking about all these people who lost their jobs and then lost their houses. I have a good job and feel like a have secure position, but I never started thinking about losing my job. But I can’t worry about what could happen, I just have to be prepared and take things as they come.

🙂 I can tell you what surprised me when I went out into the big girl world – it’s not that hard. Seriously, from what you’ve said of your life, it’s going to be a disapointment how little change it is and how easy this thing that people make a big deal out of is. It’s like with cooking – yes cooking well is difficult and a skill but just feeding yourself so you don’t starve? – not that hard despite what my grandma threatened. 🙂